A PREMIER NEURODIVERGENT SUMMER CAMP

At Camp Akeela, we believe that when neurodivergent kids come together in a traditional camp setting, extraordinary things happen. Our specialized camps for neurodivergent kids create an environment where being different isn’t just accepted; it’s celebrated. Surrounded by staff members who truly “get” them and other quirky peers, campers discover they belong and can be the best versions of themselves.

Meet Our Campers

Akeela campers are completing grades 3 – 10 andare excited about a camp experience that supports their social growth. Many have been diagnosed with ASD Level 1 (formerly Asperger’s), NVLD, ADD / ADHD, or a similar neurodivergent profile. At Akeela, they truly belong and find lifelong friends.

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All About Akeela

Akeela campers are completing grades 3 – 10 andare excited about a camp experience that supports their social growth. Many have been diagnosed with ASD Level 1 (formerly Asperger’s), NVLD, ADD / ADHD, or a similar neurodivergent profile. At Akeela, they truly belong and find lifelong friends.

Why choose camp akeela

Our social skills camp for children stands apart because of our unique approach to growth and development. This sense of belonging and community, paired with ongoing coaching from our skilled counselors, leads to unmatched growth in:

  • Social Skills Development: Real-world practice in a supportiv e environment
  • Executive Functioning: Building organizational and planning skills
  • Self-Advocacy: Finding their voice and e xpressing their needs
  • Independence Building: Gaining confidence in daily life skills
  • Flexibility & Adaptability: Learning to navigate new situations with confidence
  • Authentic Friendships: Connecting with peers who truly understand them

    "Before this year I had no idea what was in store for me after graduation. I only hope that whatever I end up doing with my life, it will be something as fulfilling as my work this past summer. "

    – Happy Parent

    "It’s been two days and I am already dreaming of a time where I can be back on Miller Pond enjoying the sun and experiencing that amazing feeling which I can only describe as Akeela."

    – Happy Parent

    "This summer was so much fun and I can’t believe all the amazing experiences in which I got to partake. It truly reminded me the reason I want to be a teacher."

    – Happy Parent

    "Even though it’s nice being home surrounded by family and old friends, I have seriously felt the loss of my new home and family at Akeela. This is a summer I will never forget. Camp helped all of us, campers and counselors alike, to reach our full potential. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of such a special place."

    – Happy Parent

    "I just want you to know how much this past summer meant to me. I had such a wonderful time, making new friends and learning new things. Going into the summer I wasn’t sure what to expect. Anyone who knows me knows that I am definitely not a rough-it type girl; bugs and I have never quite gotten along! This being said, I LOVED camp. It was by far the best summer of my life!"

    – Happy Parent

    "There is a part of me that absolutely changed in the time I spent at camp. Akeela is such a special and unique place, and it is so rare that you come across a community that after only 8 weeks, you can call your second home. In short, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your staff and your family this summer."

    – Happy Parent

    "Since being back at school, I haven’t been able to stop talking and thinking about camp. Everyone asks me how my summer was, and all I can manage to tell them is that there is simply no way to describe it. I would be letting Akeela down if I simply told everyone that it was “great”, because “great” is the understatement of the century!"

    – Happy Parent

    "I am still amazed at how happy I am that I got to be a part of Camp Akeela. I feel so lucky to have found you guys and my life has been changed in so many ways by everything that happened at camp."

    – Happy Parent

    "I didn’t realize that I could like a job as much as I did. After leaving, it really hit me hard. Camp opened my eyes to a whole world and confirmed that I really do want to work with children the rest of my life!! "

    – Happy Parent

    "Just a quick email to thank you yet again for everything you have done for me this summer. Thank you so much for being there for me every step of the way in long and hard, yet awesome summer, the best of my life! "

    – Happy Parent

    "I have grown so much from this experience and I walked away with so much more than I could have ever expected. Not only did I gain valuable experience, but I made some wonderful friends and priceless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. "

    – Happy Parent

    "Scott had a wonderful experience at camp. The counselors must be some special young men — they have made a huge impact on Scott. He misses them terribly and is already talking about next summer at Camp Akeela."

    – Happy Parent

    "Thanks again for a terrific summer of growth, opportunity and fun. Alex loved camp and can’t wait to go back next year."

    – Happy Parent

    "We would just like to say thank you for all this camp has done for Nicole! It was all we could have hoped for her! She was so apprehensive before going to camp and to see her with her new friends and counselors when we picked her up was priceless!"

    – Happy Parent

    "I spent months looking for the right camp, and as you know many phone conversations being sure you were the right place. I could not have asked for better!"

    – Happy Parent

    "The small setting and high counselor-to-camper ratio were great. The staff was fantastic. It’s hard to find a camp for an older child who wants to attend for the first time and Akeela was a great experience for Chris."

    – Happy Parent

    "Zack is definitely a more mature and more confident kid, and we know that Akeela played an important role in this transformation."

    – Happy Parent

    "Thank you for making Reed’s first “away” camp such a wonderful experience. We missed him but are so excited to hear about his new friends and accomplishments. You’re a very special group of people and we are so grateful for the time that you shared with Reed."

    – Happy Parent

    "I was thrilled to hear of Meghan’s many accomplishments at camp. I am thrilled to learn she expanded her comfort level to try them. We can not stop raving about the staff, programming and overall sense of love and encouragement we witnessed today. Akeela was a terrific experience for Meghan and is quite simply an exceptional place."

    – Happy Parent

    "You have no idea how lucky I feel that we found you, that you're such an excellent camp and that I can give Jon this wonderful, happy experience!"

    – Happy Parent

    "I want to thank you for helping me to get Zoe’s difficulty with her bunk-mate squared away. You’re doing a terrific thing by having such a camp. You’ve certainly made a lasting impression on us. Your fun-loving kindness, dedication and hard work are clear and obvious. We hope nothing but good grows from what you have begun here. Thank you for everything."

    – Happy Parent

    "Noah hasn't stopped talking about his experience at Camp Akeela. Seeing the outcome has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. We are already looking forward to next year."

    – Happy Parent

    "Thank you so much again, I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful summer experience and all the changes it will bring in his life from now on. They say it takes a village… but I think it takes a CAMP!!!!!"

    – Happy Parent

    "I wanted to tell you how VERY pleased I am with Richard’s experience at Akeela. I picked up a different boy than I sent. He was more polite and considerate, more caring and fun, more free in many ways."

    – Happy Parent

    "<!– wp:paragraph –> <p>I wanted to let you know how impressed I was with all of your staff. Billy loved all of the counselors and instructors. I was struck by the strong relationships that all of them had developed with our son over such a short amount of time.</p> <!– /wp:paragraph –>"

    – Happy Parent

    "<!– wp:paragraph –> <p>Debbie and Eric are my heroes. From our initial meeting in February to the video chat they had with my anxious camper (for an hour, no less) to an amazing summer… They are kind, compassionate, helpful and thorough. My trust in Debbie &amp; Eric and the entire Akeela staff was immeasurable. I felt confident that it was the right place for Nate and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.</p> <!– /wp:paragraph –>"

    – Happy Parent

    "<!– wp:paragraph –> <p>I am so grateful for the wonderfully affirming camp experience you created for Caitlin. There were so many aspects of the camp that were impressive, but the compassion of the counselors was absolutely inspiring. Thank you for your dedication to these kids.</p> <!– /wp:paragraph –>"

    – Happy Parent

Connect With An Akeela Director

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Long Are Your Camp Sessions?

We have two 3 week sessions. We believe that 22 days is a perfect length of stay. While it is short enough to alleviate much of campers’ potential anxiety about being away from home, it lets them adjust to the new environment with plenty of time to really thrive and take advantage of all that Camp Akeela has to offer.

Where Is The Camp Located?

Camp Akeela is set on 400 wooded acres in Strafford, Vermont. (Our mailing address is in the adjacent town of Thetford Center, VT.) The camp’s cabins, facilities and program areas are perched on the shores of Miller Pond, a crystal-clear 65 acre lake that the camp shares with just one private home. Akeela’s location in the lush Connecticut River Valley on the Vermont – New Hampshire border places it only 25 minutes from the charming college town of Hanover, NH. It is also a short trip to endless outdoor adventure opportunities in the Green and White Mountain National Forests. The camp is 2-1/2 hours from Boston and approximately 4-1/2 hours from the New York Metro area.

What diagnoses or neurodivergent profiles does Camp Akeela serve? Is an official diagnosis required for enrollment?

Formal diagnoses are not a part of our camper application process. Instead, we focus on the big picture of who our prospective campers are. We talk to parents and professionals, asking lots of questions about children’s strengths and challenges. We get a sense of how they are doing socially at school and elsewhere, what kind of supports help them be most successful, what they’re interested in and passionate about, how they feel about going to sleepaway camp, etc.

That said, all of Akeela’s campers have a similar neurodivergent profile. With or without a diagnosis, kids who thrive at Camp Akeela need a little extra support socially. Many have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum (Level 1, or what used to be called Asperger’s), or with ADD / ADHD, or with NLD / NVLD.

What is the age range for campers?

Akeela campers are between the ages of 9 and 17. Our youngest campers have completed 3rd grade (going into 4th grade the summer they’re at camp), while our oldest campers have completed 10th grade (going into 11th).

What are the camp dates and tuition rates?

Please find the upcoming summer’s dates and rates here:
Dates & Rates

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UNMATCHED SOCIAL SUCCESS AT SUMMER CAMP

What makes our neurodivergent summer camp truly special? It’s our understanding that every camper brings unique strengths and faces individual challenges. Our high counselor-to-camper ratio ensures personalized attention, while our carefully designed program structure provides the predictability and support that helps neurodivergent children thrive. The small setting creates an intimate community where lasting friendships are formed and social skills are developed naturally through shared experiences and genuine connections.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR NEURODIVERGENT SUMMER CAMP

At Camp Akeela, families can expect a transformative overnight camp experience for children with Autism (Level 1, formerly known as Asperger’s Syndrome), NVLD, ADD or ADHD, and similar neurodivergent profiles. From the moment campers arrive at our beautiful campus, our focus is to provide a thoughtfully crafted set of traditional camp activities that make summer camp unforgettable, while embracing the necessities of our community. Parents can expect regular communication, transparent updates, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their child is understood and valued. Learn more about our communication, safety, and health care policies.

Our co-ed sleepaway camp combines the structure many neurodiverse children thrive on with the flexibility to accommodate individual sensory needs and social comfort levels.